Built for heavy haulage around key ports operated by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, this week’s Lost Class article explores the Fowler 2F ‘Dock’ Tanks.
Fowler 2F ‘Dock’ Tanks
When the LMS was formed on January 1st 1923, they inherited more than just railway assets, which among these was a number of shipping ports.
Spread along both the West and East Coastline of the UK, many of these ports saw a large volume of freight traffic pass from sea to rail.
Five years into LMS ownership there was a need for new engines to work the heavier loads being transported in the ports.
Design and Construction
To create an engine with the necessary power for the dock trains three sets of coupled wheels were used with no leading or trailing wheels. On the rear set of couple wheels, Cartazzi self-centring axleboxes were fitted to allow for more lateral movement to negotiate tight curves.
One of the most interesting design features was fitting outside cylinders. Although easing maintenance, outside cylinders meant moving mechanical parts were exposed, which in a busy environment with several people working close to the tanks could lead to serious injury or death. All 10 locomotives were built at the LMS’ Derby Work to Lot No.61 (11270–11279), between December 31th 1928 and January 31th 1929.
Performance in Service
Despite being a small class of engines, they were spread across several LMS depots along the coast which served ports, such as Greenock Ladyburn shed on the West Coast of Scotland to Birkenhead Shed on the West Coast of England. They were good tanks for operating in the docks, handling all sorts of freight traffic.
Decline and Withdrawn
When the introduction of diesel traction started to gain speed in the Late 1950s, many of these locomotives were diesel shunters. These new diesel engines soon replaced many of the equivalent steam ones, such as the Fowler Dock tanks. Withdrawals didn’t start until 1959, but by 1964, no members of the class were running, soon to be scrapped.
We hope you have enjoyed this week’s Lost Class article. Next week will see another Class Information article published.
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Responses
I think that the Fowler Dock tanks will be getting the new build treatment sooner rather than later.
An interesting new build loco to consider!
Are you building the 2F or just considering a build?
At last we are getting somewhere with our 2F the chassis is progressing slowly.
Via train new
Go train new
New train